PHUKET: Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan said he plans to ask Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to propose at the next meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) an end to the Thailand Pass registration scheme, believing that once it is lifted the number of foreign tourists will rise to 30,000 per day.

Mr Phiphat said this while in Phuket to make preparations for Gen Prayut's visit to the island resort province on Monday to inspect implementation of education and tourism policies.

full.https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/23 ... iland-pass

somebody woke up LOL

The 300-baht tourism fee faces a delay in implementation, beginning in the fourth quarter at the earliest, while the cancellation of Thailand Pass is expected from July 1, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

"Fee collection for tourists arriving by land requires further study, such as determining if the fee amount should be less than 300 baht because the average length of stay for these visitors is only 1-2 nights," said Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Tourism and Sports Minister.

"Eliminating the Thailand Pass system means tourists don't have to buy travel insurance anymore, which should help make travel more convenient," he said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/23 ... iPHuoViBa4

phuketrichard wrote: ↑Thu Jun 09, 2022 12:45 pm somebody woke up LOL

The 300-baht tourism fee faces a delay in implementation, beginning in the fourth quarter at the earliest, while the cancellation of Thailand Pass is expected from July 1, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

"Fee collection for tourists arriving by land requires further study, such as determining if the fee amount should be less than 300 baht because the average length of stay for these visitors is only 1-2 nights," said Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Tourism and Sports Minister.

"Eliminating the Thailand Pass system means tourists don't have to buy travel insurance anymore, which should help make travel more convenient," he said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/23 ... iPHuoViBa4

So, from July 1st, it is completely back to normal? i.e. Christmas 2019 normal?

Doc67 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 09, 2022 8:06 pm

phuketrichard wrote: ↑Thu Jun 09, 2022 12:45 pm somebody woke up LOL

The 300-baht tourism fee faces a delay in implementation, beginning in the fourth quarter at the earliest, while the cancellation of Thailand Pass is expected from July 1, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

"Fee collection for tourists arriving by land requires further study, such as determining if the fee amount should be less than 300 baht because the average length of stay for these visitors is only 1-2 nights," said Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Tourism and Sports Minister.

"Eliminating the Thailand Pass system means tourists don't have to buy travel insurance anymore, which should help make travel more convenient," he said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/23 ... iPHuoViBa4

So, from July 1st, it is completely back to normal? i.e. Christmas 2019 normal?

Not so fast, that is a forecast only.

I am planning a 2 week trip in August. It looks like it would be Cambodia as entry would be easier, however, due to a lack of flights still, airfare to PNH at that time is 1600 Euros and to BKK is 1100 Euros.

So if restrictions are lifted in LOS I will go to Hua Hin. If not it will be Kampot.

Hong Kong Airport lifted their transit restrictions on April 1st. Taipei Airport restrictions are still in affect until at least through the end of September, so no Eva Airlines. Many airlines have had to avoid these layovers and some, including Singapore Air, might never transit through Hong Kong again, according to them. The number of flight availability’s are still down, so until everyone opens back up and the airlines reclaim their positions at these transit airports these flight prices are going to stay pretty high; and of course gas prices are ridiculously high also.

I booked a flight from Houston to Phnom Penh for November 8th on Singapore Air. Premium Economy cost me $1,196 one-way, about what it would cost round-trip before. And flying into Bangkok was actually $6 more. I wanted to fly business class for the first time, but $4,188 for a one-way ticket was a little too rich for my blood.

Just applied a ThaiPass a few minutes ago, received email said it will be ready in 1-2hrs. This is a big jump improvement.

yong wrote: ↑Mon Jun 13, 2022 11:35 am Just applied a ThaiPass a few minutes ago, received email said it will be ready in 1-2hrs. This is a big jump improvement.

As promised the ThaiPass was approved in 56 minutes this time. A round of applause to ThaiPass.

ExPenhMan wrote: ↑Mon Jun 13, 2022 4:00 pm

Tommie wrote: ↑Thu Jun 09, 2022 9:36 pm I am planning a 2 week trip in August. It looks like it would be Cambodia as entry would be easier, however, due to a lack of flights still, airfare to PNH at that time is 1600 Euros and to BKK is 1100 Euros.

So if restrictions are lifted in LOS I will go to Hua Hin. If not it will be Kampot.

The Thai CCSA is meeting this Friday (17th) to decide on whether to boot the Thai Pass, dump the insurance requirement for foreign arrivals, extend the visa-exempt period from 30 to 45 days, drop the mask mandate for outdoors and extend bar hours to 2 am (doubtful). I'm not optimistic for any of this to come to pass. They're very fond of promising to paint a brighter future and forgetting to bring the paint and brushes.

I find the timing of the 30 to 45 days proposal interesting, I wouldn't be surprised if the May arrivals data they now have for the long haul markets has been well below expectations, for all the reasons they are still only thinking about dropping now. They did the right thing lifting the quarantine so the Indian market would arrive en-masse and they certainly have in Pattaya, however their normal length of stay is only 1 week. Simply put 2 Indians = 1 long haul European/North American length of stay wise. Perhaps they are hoping to capture the European school holiday market, but again it almost feels too late announcing a change now. Again I see the timing of postponing the 300 baht arrival fee fits into this narrative.

Would really like to see those May arrivals by country.